Survey of Listeria spp. in matched clinical, food and refrigerator samples at home level in Brazil

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that represents a serious threat during pregnancy and several cases of listeriosis have been linked to the consumption of contaminated foods worldwide. In Brazil, there is no report of foodborne listeriosis, despite some sporadic cases of infection by this bacterium occur. In general in our country, there is no awareness of medical personnel to instruct moms-to-be to avoid high risk foods. In the present study, a total of 141 samples were surveyed for the presence of Listeria spp., including cervicovaginal samples of patients, foods and home refrigerators. No clinical sample was positive for Listeria spp., but it was isolated from two refrigerators. L. monocytogenes was detected in two food samples out of five positive ones for Listeria spp. In conclusion, it was shown the presence of contaminated food items at home level and the lack of information on the risks of listeriosis, indicating the need of implementation of food safety education programs. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of a Pool of Peptides Isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American Rattlesnake) Venom on Glucose Levels of Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

This study investigated the effect of a pool of peptides, isolated from venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) on glucose concentration in C57BL/6 mice fed on a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. The pool of peptides (molecular mass around of 10 kDa) was obtained using a MidJet apparatus with a cartridge of 10 KDa. The peptide pool was injected intraperitoneally in mice in a single dose (0.5 mg/animal) or multiple doses (0.2 mg/dose). After predetermined times (30, 60, 90 and 120 min) post injections, venous blood samples were collected for enzymatic measurement of serum glucose using a commercial glucose kit (glucose oxidase method). High-fat fed mice showed an increase in blood glucose concentration, in comparison with mice fed on the chow diet. Thirty minutes after a single dose of the peptide pool, high-fat fed animals showed a significant decrease (similar to 47%) in glycemia. However, the glucose level increased again at 60 and 120 min. Conversely, after multiple injections of the pool of peptides administered every 30 min, the blood glucose concentration in the high-fat mice was significantly decreased (similar to 37%) and remained at low levels until 120 min. These results suggest that the tested pool of peptides from Crotalus durissus terrificus contained a peptide (or peptides) with a beneficial role on glucose-lowering action of high-fat fed mice.

La Pointe Saint Mathieu, Brittany, France

The "Pointe Saint Mathieu" is one of the most westerly continental landmarks of France. The promontory is located at the entrance of the "Goulet de la Rade de Brest", that is the entrance channel of the harbour of Brest in Brittany (France). It marks also the Southern end of the "Chenal du Four" that is the main navigation channel between the islands of Ouessant, Molène and Béniquet, and Brittany. The "Chenal du Four" is reputed for its dangers. The tidal range is greater than 7 m in spring tides, and the mid-tide current may exceed 5 knots. The Saint Mathieu promontory is equipped with a lighthouse and a semaphore. The former is located in the ruins of an old monastery, founded during the 6th century AD by Saint Tanguy. The present ruins are the remnants of buildings from the 11th to 15th centuries. The first lighthouse was installed in 1689, although the monks of the monastery used to maintain a signal light since the 1250s. Completed in 1835, the present "Phare de la Pointe Saint-Mathieu" is 37 m high and it reaches 58.8 m above sea level During World War 2, the Pointe Saint Mathieu was defended by a series of concrete fortifications built by the Germans. Some were based upon some earlier French bunker systems, like the coastal battery at the Rospects which included 4 main gun bunkers (4*150 mm, or 2*150 mm & 2*105 mm), an observation bunker on the Western side close to sea, and several smaller structures. There was also the large Kéringar Blockhaus system, near Lochrist, located about 1 km inland and designed for 4 guns of 280 mm. Its command bunker remains a landmark along the main road. All this area was very-heavily bombed between 1943 and 1944, and particularly during the battle of Brest in August-September 1944 ("L'Enfer de Brest").

Libido Operandi or Conflict: Tafuri on Historic Preservation and Historiography

A brief analysis of an interview with Manfredo Tafuri (1991) on the relationship between historiography and judgements bound up in architectural preservation, restoration and conservation.

Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in metropolitan and rural Queensland: A general practice survey

The prevalence of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) in Australia is unclear. We estimated the prevalence of IPD, and other forms of parkinsonism, through the study of typical caseloads in general practice. A random sample of general practitioners (GPs) throughout Queensland (401 responses from 528 validated practice addresses) was asked to estimate the numbers of patients with IPD and parkinsonism seen in the preceding year. The estimated prevalence of diagnosed IPD in Queensland was 146 per 100 000 (95% CI = 136–155). A further 51 per 100 000 in the population were suspected by doctors to have IPD without formal diagnosis, whereas another 51 per 100 000 people may have non-idiopathic parkinsonism. Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease was more common in rural than metropolitan areas. Although most GPs were confident in making diagnoses of IPD, the majority had little or no confidence in their ability to treat the disease, especially in its later stages. Support from neurologists was perceived by GPs to be very good in cities, but poor in remote areas.

The determination of the design strength of granite used as external cladding for buildings

This chapter is concerned with acquisition and analysis of test data for determining whether or not the flexural strength of granite cladding under extreme conditions is adequate to assure that reliability requirements are satisfied.

Onlookers on buildings during the Youth Campaign against Conscription, Brisbane, Australia

Onlookers on buildings during the Youth Campaign against Conscription, Brisbane, Australia on March 24 1966. Paddy wagons, police and a tram can be seen on the corner of Queen and Albert Streets Brisbane. Facade of T & G corner with Spiers Chemists, Mimi building and NM centre can be seen in the background.

Compiling a GIS database of tree farms on Leyte Island

As part of ACIAR project ASEM/2003/052, Improving Financial Returns to Smallholder Tree Farmers in the Philippines, plantations of timber trees in Leyte Island, the Philippines were located using a systematic survey of the island. The survey was undertaken in order to compile a database of plantations which could be used to guide the planning of project activities. In addition to recording a range of qualitative and quantitative information for each plantation, the survey spatially referenced each site using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to electronic maps of the island which were held in a Geographical Information System (GIS). Microsoft Excel and Mapsource® software were used as the software links between GPS coordinates and the GIS. Mapping of farm positions was complicated by different datums being used for maps of Leyte Island and this caused GPS positions to be displaced from equivalent positions on the map. Photos of the sites were hyperlinked to their map positions in the GIS in order to assist staff to recall site characteristics.

Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence-based parenting interventions.

Background: This study used household survey data on the prevalence of child, parent and family variables to establish potential targets for a population-level intervention to strengthen parenting skills in the community. The goals of the intervention include decreasing child conduct problems, increasing parental self-efficacy, use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing coercive parenting and increasing help-seeking, social support and participation in positive parenting programmes. Methods: A total of 4010 parents with a child under the age of 12 years completed a statewide telephone survey on parenting. Results: One in three parents reported that their child had a behavioural or emotional problem in the previous 6 months. Furthermore, 9% of children aged 2–12 years meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder. Parents who reported their child's behaviour to be difficult were more likely to perceive parenting as a negative experience (i.e. demanding, stressful and depressing). Parents with greatest difficulties were mothers without partners and who had low levels of confidence in their parenting roles. About 20% of parents reported being stressed and 5% reported being depressed in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Parents with personal adjustment problems had lower levels of parenting confidence and their child was more difficult to manage. Only one in four parents had participated in a parent education programme. Conclusions: Implications for the setting of population-level goals and targets for strengthening parenting skills are discussed.

Historic Bridge Photographs: The Lahey Collection

Romeo Watkins Lahey (1887-1968) was a distinguished Queensland engineer. He graduated in engineering from the University of Sydney in 1914 and served in World War I from 1915 to 1918 with The Royal Australian Engineers. Following the war, he accepted an offer to remain for a period in England and studied town planning at the University of London. He visited Europe and collected a remarkable set of historic bridge photographs. In the course of this visit, he met Paul Sejourne, a distinguished French bridge engineer, the designer of at Ieast one of the bridges (at Fontpedrouse, pages 25-27) included in this set. When Lahey died, his wife Sybil and daughter Ann took steps to give this remarkable set of 58 historic bridge photographs to The University of Queensland. More recently, Lahey's daughters Ann Neale and Alison Drake have given a set of lantern plates collected by their father, many of which also have photographs of bridges. This volume is divided into three parts: (a) a biography of Romeo Watkins Lahey, written by his daughter, Ann Neale; (b) copies of the original set of 58 bridge photographs, and (c) copies taken from 32 lantern plates. To these have been added captions. Many of the original photographs carried titles; where these are available they have been printed in italics. Further work has been done to identify bridges and where possible the captions include the completion date, major dimensions, locations, and references to published works. Plates 8.1-10 are copies of drawings used as Figures in a book. These drawings have not been copied and the source has not been identified. Two lists of photographs and plates are included - the first in the order of the original collections and a second with bridges listed in the order of material, structural form and date. The collection is of remarkable value to any bridge historian, and is recommended for study by students.

Neuroleptic management of schizophrenia: A survey and commentary on Australian psychiatric practice

Objective: We seek to assess Australian psychiatrists' views and practices concerning provision of neuroleptic medication to patients with schizophrenia, and to determine whether such management strategies are likely to have changed over time and the extent to which they correspond to published treatment guidelines. Method: A sample of 139 psychiatrists based in three Australian capital cities was derived, with respondents completing a brief questionnaire by choosing from a limited-option answer set. Co-authors of this paper comment on the extent to which responses are in line with contemporary recommendations driven by experts or empirical studies. Results: Overall, survey findings indicate that there has been considerable change in clinical practice over the last decade and provide some estimate of the extent to which Australian management practices are congruent with contemporary recommendations. We identify a number of issues of concern (more in relation to dose levels of neuroleptic medication rather than treatment duration) revealed by survey data and make recommendations for addressing a number of practical clinical issues. Conclusions: As this report focuses on central issues involved in managing schizophrenia, and integrates a number of treatment guidelines, we suggest that it should be of assistance for practice review by clinicians.

Managing the Yongala Historic Shipwreck

The Yongala Historic Shipwreck lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in northeastern Australia. A draft management plan, produced by the Queensland Museum in 1992, provided primarily for the management of the historical and archaeological values of the wreck. The plan did not outline comprehensive strategies for management of either the special ecological values of the site or an increasing demand by recreational divers to dive the wreck This article will outline the processes involved in integrating management of the social, ecological, and historical values of the wreck into a format that is acceptable to all stakeholders associated with the site.

The fornax spectroscopic survey: the number of unresolved compact galaxies

We describe a sample of 13 bright (18.5 < B-J < 20.1), compact galaxies at low redshift (0.05 < z < 0.21) behind the Fornax Cluster. These galaxies are unresolved on UK Schmidt sky survey plates, and so they would be missing from most galaxy catalogs compiled from this material. The objects were found during initial observations of The Fornax Spectroscopic Survey. This project is using the Two-degree Field spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope to obtain spectra for a complete sample of all 14,000 objects, stellar and nonstellar, with 16.5 < B-J < 19.7, in a 12 deg(2) area centered on the Fornax Cluster of galaxies. The surface density of compact galaxies with magnitudes 16.5 < B-J < 19.7 is 7 +/- 3 deg(-2), representing 2.8% +/- 1.6% of all local (z < 0.2) galaxies to this limit. There are 12 +/- 3 deg(-2) with 16.5 < B-J < 20.2. They are luminous (-21.5 < M-B < -18.0, for H-o = 50 km s(-1) Mpc(-1)), and most have strong emission lines (H alpha equivalent widths of 40-200 Angstrom) and small sizes typical of luminous H II galaxies and compact narrow emission line galaxies. Four out of 13 have red colors and early-type spectra, and so they are unlikely to have been detected in any previous surveys.